Method for using local memory of graphics card as extensive memory of system memory in computer system

Abstract

A method and a computer system are provided for using a portion of a local memory of a graphics card as an extensive memory of a system memory. When the computer system is rebooted, a portion of a local memory of a graphics card is claimed as an extensive memory of the system memory, and the local memory excluding the extensive memory is claimed a new local memory by a driver of the graphics card. The driver of the graphics card reports the new local memory capacity to an operating system of the computer. Then, a new system memory capacity including the extensive memory and the original system memory is claimed by a chipset of the computer system and reported to a memory sizing command of BIOS. Finally, if a memory access request is within the address range of the extensive memory, the memory access request is transmitted to the graphics card through AGP/PCI bus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for using a portion of a local memory of a graphics card as an extensive memory of a system memory in a computer system, said process comprising steps of: 
 rebooting said computer system;    claiming said portion of said local memory as said extensive memory of said system memory;    claiming said local memory excluding said extensive memory as a new local memory capacity, and reporting said new local memory capacity to an operating system;    claiming said system memory including said extensive memory as a new system memory capacity, and reporting said new system memory capacity to a memory sizing command of a basic input/output system (BIOS); and    transmitting a memory access request to said graphics card trough AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)/PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, if said memory access request is within the address range of the extensive memory.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said new local memory capacity is claimed by a chipset of said computer system.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein when said memory access request is transmitted to said graphics card, said chipset correlates addresses in said extensive memory to those in said portion of said local memory claimed as said extensive memory.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said new local memory capacity is claimed by a driver of said graphics card.  
     
     
         5 . A computer system for using a portion of a local memory of a graphics card as an extensive memory of a system memory, said computer system comprising: 
 means for claiming said portion of said local memory as said extensive memory of said system memory;    means for claiming said local memory excluding said extensive memory as a new local memory capacity, and reporting said new local memory capacity to an operating system;    means for claiming said system memory including said extensive memory as a new system memory capacity, and reporting said new system memory capacity to a memory sizing command of a basic input/output system (BIOS); and    means for transmitting a memory access request to said graphics card through AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)/PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, if said memory access request is within the address range of the extensive memory.    
     
     
         6 . The computer system according to  claim 5  wherein said means for claiming said new local memory capacity is included in a chipset of said computer system.  
     
     
         7 . The computer system according to  claim 5  wherein said means for claiming said new local memory capacity is included in said graphics card.